The 49ers are where the Raiders were three years ago – drastically undermanned, in the midst of unrelenting losing, and with Fort Knox-like money under the salary cap. Obviously, the 10-2 Raiders have made the right moves in hiring coach Jack Del Rio, drafting players like Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, and acquiring players like …

Along with the two expected absentees on the first day of the 49ers’ manadatory minicamp – contract holdouts in tight end Vernon Davis and right guard Alex Boone — there was a surprise no-show today. …

Three days after Vernon Davis said he planned to attend this week’s mandatory three-day minicamp, the 49ers tight end has penned an article that suggests he’ll remain absent from the team’s facility because he’s “holding out” for a new contract. …

Northern Illinois defensive end George Rainey laughed dismissively after he’d sized up the true freshman with big dreams and a bantamweight body. It was 2010 and barely recruited Jimmie Ward had just arrived on campus carrying 168 pounds and a quiet confidence: The 19-year-old believed he’d play during his first season. …

Last season, Dan Skuta had a sack in the divisional playoffs against the Panthers and added another in the NFC Championship Game in Seattle. Now, he’s looking forward to seeing what he can do while playing with a left foot that doesn’t hurt like hell. …

In the estimation of 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the missed on-field work is significant. Fangio said Ward is learning two complex positions in slot cornerback, his primary spot, and safety, where is expected to serve as a backup behind Reid and Antoine Bethea. …

Good news, 49ers fans: Eric Reid won’t need a bigger helmet this season. That is, success hasn’t gone to the first-round pick’s head after a stellar rookie season made possible by a blend of talent and intangibles. …

As a defensive lineman, football neophyte Lawrence Okoye is understandably still learning about leverage and hand placement. However, Okoye, the onetime British rugby player and Olympic discus thrower, appears to be a quicker study in a role that doesn’t require mastering as much technique: kickoff-coverage kamikaze. …

In fact, only seven of the 34 quarterbacks that attempted at least 250 passes last year have either won a conference-title game or been named All-Pro (four have done both) during a season in which they met the 80-percent-snap threshold. …

Before the wide receiver was selected in the fourth round by the 49ers last month, Ellington’s energy – and athleticism – allowed him to cram two careers into his four years at South Carolina. He was the starting point guard on the basketball team for three seasons and played three more on the Gamecocks’ football team, earning first-team all-SEC honors in 2013. …

I spoke with Joel Corry (the highlights of that Q&A are below), an NFL agent for 16 years who now writes on contract and salary-cap issues for CBS Sports. Corry said the 49ers “won” the deal, but acknowledged they might not have faced much resistance from Kaepernick’s camp. …

Davis, 30, who has skipped the team’s voluntary offseason program because of dissatisfaction with his contract, is seeking an extension that would allow him to finish his career with the same team that drafted him in 2006. He has two years remaining on a six-year, $42.7 million extension he signed in 2010. …